Quiz: Howstuffworks

Quiz: Can You Read Basic Electrical Plans?

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: Youtube

About This Quiz

It’s shocking, isn’t it?! The level of exceptional skill and painstaking detail that goes into preparing architectural drawings and plans.

When it comes to architectural projects – big or small, amateur or professional – there are a wide array of technical plans and drawings that can be utilized for the job. These technical drawings and plans are not only particularly useful for the design and preparation parts of the project, they are also actually quite useful (and oftentimes essential) from start to finish.

In this clever quiz, the type of technical drawing that you will be answering questions about is the electrical plan. Electrical plans are technical drawings that can vary from being simple enough for the average person to understand, to being so complex that only a professional could make heads or tails of it.

Even basic electrical plans will take into account things like plot plans (which show the building’s location), floor plans (which show a floor by floor representation of the building), and also possibly various wiring diagrams as well. These basic electrical plans make use of several features to get the information across as plainly as possible; such as easy to read dimensions, clearly drawn lines, and also consistent notations and symbols.

Are you ready to prove that you’re a master architect? Then c’mon, let’s get started on this easy quiz.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Power Panel

Dimmer Switch

Panic Button Symbol

Floor Uplight

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents power panels looks like a simple rectangle that is hatched with diagonal lines. Power panels most times fall under the subcategory of circuits and panels on architectural groupings.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Floor Outlet

Light Outlet

Bell Symbol

Quad Outlet

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents a bell looks like an empty square that has a tiny circle in the middle of the right side. Buzzers are sometimes incorrectly designated with this symbol.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Track Light

Single Outlet

Smoke Detector Symbol

Single Pole Switch

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents a single pole switch is simply just an inscription of the letter “S”. Single pole switches are the most common type of electrical switches in modern homes.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Special Power Outlet

Branch Circuit Concealed In Ceiling Or Wall

GFCI Outlet

Waterproof Switch

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents power panels looks like a simple rectangle that is hatched with diagonal lines. Power panels most times fall under the subcategory of circuits and panels on architectural groupings.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Mini Spotlight

Fluorescent Light

Downlight - Recessed

Lamp Holder With Pull Switch

Fluorescent lights are represented by a symbol that consists of a horizontal line that has two vertical lines attached to it – one at each end. Fluorescent lights are advantageous due to their relatively long lifespan.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Duplex Outlet

Four-Way Switch

Under Cabinet Light

Refrigerator Outlet

The symbol that represents a refrigerator outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and two parallel horizontal lines on the right end. Many building codes actually require that refrigerators are connected to a dedicated circuit.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Buzzer Symbol

Double Pole Switch

Wall Light

Floor Washer Light

The double pole switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “2.”

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Waterproof Downlight

Pull Switch Symbol

Thermostat Symbol

Three-Way Switch

Waterproof downlights are not particularly common in buildings but are still very useful. The symbol on electrical plans that is used for waterproof downlights is a circle that has the letters “WP’ written inside of it.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Carbon Monoxide Detector Symbol

Clothes Dryer Outlet

Push Button Symbol

Junction Box

Like refrigerators, other large appliances like clothes dryers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and even dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes dryer outlet is a circle that has three parallel horizontal lines running through it and protruding out of the left side of the circle; as well as a subscript “CD” in the bottom right.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Clothes Washer Outlet

Smoke Detector Symbol

Branch Circuit Concealed In Floor

Duplex Outlet

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a duplex outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it. These lines extend out of the circle on the left side.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Branch Circuit Exposed

220-Volt Outlet

Thermostat Symbol

Multiple Outlet

A 220-volt outlet is represented on electrical plans by a circle that has three parallel horizontal lines running through it and protruding out of the left side of the circle. This symbol is identical to a regular clothes dryer outlet, without the subscript “CD.”

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Four-Way Switch

Blanked (Unused) Outlet

Directional Downlight - Recessed

Light Outlet

The four-way switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “4."

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Fan Outlet

Pull Switch Symbol

Track Light

Dish Washer Outlet

The symbol on electrical plans for a track light is one of the more relatively complex symbols. The symbol starts out looking like the symbol of a florescent light but it also has three smaller vertical lines connected and equal distances, with small circles on top of them.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Push Button Symbol

Buzzer Symbol

Floor Outlet

Wall Light

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a buzzer is sometimes mistaken for a bell symbol or symbols that serve similar purposes. This symbol simply consists of a square that has a diagonal that protrudes from the outer bottom right corner.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Pendant Light

Single Outlet

Mini Spotlight

Lamp Holder With Pull Switch

A symbol that is not seen as regularly as many other on this list. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a mini spotlight is an arrow that points to the right, which touches a vertical line.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Wall Up And Down Light

Blanked (Unused) Outlet

Special Power Outlet

Dimmer Switch

The dimmer switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) representation of the letters “DM."

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Duplex Outlet With Switch

Three-Way Switch

Branch Circuit Concealed In Floor

Clothes Washer Outlet

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a branch circuit that is concealed in a floor is sometimes mistaken for the symbol for an exposed branch circuit. The symbol is simply a horizontal dashed line that has small dots in the spaces in-between.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Blanked (Unused) Outlet

Pilot Light Switch

Carbon Monoxide Detector Symbol

Waterproof Switch

A blanked (unused) outlet is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If the outlet is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “B” inside and if it is wall mounted, then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line​ on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Power Panel

Clothes Dryer Outlet

Junction Box

Floor Outlet

When it comes to being represented on electrical plans, the general floor outlet has a very distinguishable symbol compared to the wide array of outlet symbols. It is a square, which contains a circle, which in turn contains a horizontal line that cuts it in half.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Carbon Monoxide Detector Symbol

Quad Outlet

Duplex Outlet

Wall Light

On electrical plans, the symbol for carbon monoxide detectors is one that you can easily tell the purpose of at first glance. It is simply a square that has the letters “CO” inscribed in the center.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Multiple Outlet

Clothes Washer Outlet

Wall Up And Down Light

Special Power Outlet

While different variations of “special” power outlet symbols exist, there is a definite general symbol that can be used to encompass all of them if need be. This symbol is simply a circle that has a completely shaded triangle inside of it.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Floor Uplight

Pull Switch Symbol

Lamp Holder

Duplex Outlet With Switch

A pull switch is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If the pull switch is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle the letter “S” inside and if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Downlight - Recessed

Pendant Light

Lamp Holder With Pull Switch

Single Outlet

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a single outlet is a circle that has one parallel horizontal line running through its center. This line extends out of the circle on the left side.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Thermostat Symbol

Directional Downlight - Recessed

Fan Outlet

Waterproof Switch

Directional downlights are useful not only for general lighting but for aesthetic purposes as well. The symbol that represents it on an electrical plan is a circle that has two perpendicular lines – which create an arrow – resting on top of it. The arrow signifies the direction of the beam of light.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Floor Washer Light

Waterproof Downlight

Pilot Light Switch

Duplex Outlet

Floor washer lights are – unlike most of the other lighting symbols in the quiz – rarely seen on electrical plans. The symbol for floor washer lights is a rectangle that sits on top of an arrow.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Refrigerator Outlet

220-Volt Outlet

Push Button Symbol

Quad Outlet

This is another symbol that often gets mixed up with similar symbols like the buzzer symbol and the bell symbol. On electrical plans, the push button is designated by a symbol that is a simple square with a sizable dot in the center.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Lamp Holder

Mini Spotlight

Thermostat Symbol

Double Pole Switch

The thermostat symbol is seen in many plans of houses and buildings in the US and Europe. This symbol is simply represented by a square that has capital letter “T” written in the center of it.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

GFCI Outlet

Branch Circuit Concealed In Ceiling Or Wall

Special Power Outlet

Wall Up And Down Light

While the name/description of what this symbol represents may be one of the longest in this quiz, the actual symbol itself is the easiest to draw. This symbol is simply a long horizontal line.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Downlight - Recessed

Light Outlet

Dimmer Switch

Single Outlet

The symbol of a recessed downlight on an electrical plan is quite possibly one of the simplest ones to draw but also one of the easiest to overlook as well. Why is this? Because it is simply a circle!

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Single Pole Switch

Dish Washer Outlet

Pendant Light

Four-Way Switch

Pendant lights are attractive lighting options that can actually allow a contrast of shadows and light in a room to create an intentional visual allure. The symbol on electrical plans for this is a circle that is bisected equally by a vertical line and a horizontal line – creating a cross and four equal separations of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Double Pole Switch

Wall Light

Directional Downlight - Recessed

Branch Circuit Exposed

Wall lights are particularly more aesthetically pleasing in smaller rooms or rooms that have more natural lighting options. The symbol that represents this on electrical plans is a vertical line that is touched by a triangle (just the tip of the triangle). The triangle has a horizontal line down its middle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Bell Symbol

Track Light

Floor Uplight

Panic Button Symbol

While no one wants to have to use a panic button, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The symbol that represents panic buttons on electrical plans is simply a square that has the letters “PB” written in the middle of it.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Fluorescent Light

Power Panel

Under Cabinet Light

Multiple Outlet

Under cabinet lights are most often seen in kitchens and to some lesser extent, bathrooms as well. This fixture is represented on electrical plans by a circle that is separated into two halves by a vertical line – one half is shaded and the other is left unshaded.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Blanked (Unused) Outlet

Junction Box

Clothes Dryer Outlet

Light Outlet

A light outlet is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a blank circle; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

220-Volt Outlet

Smoke Detector Symbol

Push Button Symbol

Three-Way Switch

Smoke detectors are essential safety fixtures that can be found in commercial buildings and residential ones as well. The symbol that represents smoke detectors on electrical plans is a square that has the letters “SD” written in the middle of it.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

GFCI Outlet

Branch Circuit Concealed In Floor

Floor Washer Light

Branch Circuit Exposed

The symbol on electrical plans that designates where an exposed branch circuit will be, is actually very similar to the symbols for a branch circuit that is concealed in a floor. The symbol for an exposed one is simply a dashed line that is made up of close and small dashes.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Duplex Outlet With Switch

Buzzer Symbol

Fluorescent Light

Under Cabinet Light

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a duplex outlet with a switch is very similar to the symbol for a regular duplex outlet. It is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it and these lines extend out of the circle on the left side. The difference is that there is a small (subscript) “S” at the bottom right corner.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Panic Button Symbol

Refrigerator Outlet

Pilot Light Switch

Carbon Monoxide Detector Symbol

The pilot light switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) letter “P.P

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Lamp Holder

Branch Circuit Concealed In Ceiling Or Wall

Single Pole Switch

Floor Outlet

A lamp holder is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “L” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Waterproof Downlight

Bell Symbol

Fan Outlet

Pull Switch Symbol

A fan is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “F” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Smoke Detector Symbol

Wall Up And Down Light

Floor Washer Light

Buzzer Symbol

​Wall up and down lights are unique lights that are primarily used for aesthetic purposes, since the beam of light comes out of both the top and bottom of the fixture. The symbol that represents this fixture on electrical plans is a square that has a dot inside of it – very similar to a push button symbol.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Dimmer Switch

Downlight - Recessed

Single Pole Switch

Floor Uplight

Floor uplights are small light fixtures that resemble miniature floor spotlights or simple small round discs. The symbol that represents floor uplights on an electrical plan is a circle that is cut into four equal parts by a horizontal line and a vertical line. The circle then has two quarter pieces – alternating ones – fully shaded.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Under Cabinet Light

Lamp Holder

Three-Way Switch

220-Volt Outlet

The three-way switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that as the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “3."

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Branch Circuit Concealed In Ceiling Or Wall

Branch Circuit Concealed In Floor

Waterproof Downlight

Waterproof Switch

The waterproof switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) representation of the letters “WP." These lights are used outdoors and in some bathrooms.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Track Light

Dish Washer Outlet

Duplex Outlet With Switch

Fluorescent Light

Like other large appliances, dishwashers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes washer outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and a protruding line to the left. It also has a subscript “DW” in the bottom right.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Junction Box

Mini Spotlight

Panic Button Symbol

GFCI Outlet

A junction box is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “J” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Dish Washer Outlet

Quad Outlet

Fan Outlet

Double Pole Switch

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a quad outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it – these lines extend out of the circle on the left side; and two vertical lines that run through these other lines.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Clothes Washer Outlet

Pilot Light Switch

Clothes Dryer Outlet

Power Panel

Like other large appliances, clothes washers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and even dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes washer outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and a protruding line to the left. It also has a subscript “CW” at the bottom right.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Directional Downlight - Recessed

Lamp Holder With Pull Switch

Branch Circuit Exposed

Refrigerator Outlet

A lamp holder with a pull switch is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle that has the letter “L” inside and the letters “PS” as subscript at the bottom right. If it is wall mounted, then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Original

What symbol on an electrical plan is this?

Four-Way Switch

Bell Symbol

Multiple Outlet

Pendant Light

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a multiple outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it. These lines extend out of the circle on the left side and there is a subscript (small number) on the right lower side that shows the number of sockets.

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